THE FOOLISHNESS OF SELF-FLATTERY
When you are the one praising yourself and calling attention to your supposed greatness, virtues or good deeds, you are only showing how great your insecurities are.
Psalm 36:1-2 ISV
An oracle that came to me about the transgressions of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. He flatters himself too much to discover his transgression and hate it.
Dear Believer,
One of the transgressions of the wicked is described here: self-flattery.
He is said to love flattering himself so much that he can’t see his faults and correct them.
One of the great weaknesses of natural man is the tendency to praise himself. It is the proudest of men that praise their own ‘humility,’ and it is the most foolish men that praise their ‘great wisdom.’
Proverbs 20:6 VW
Most men will proclaim each one his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?
If you discover a fault in you, don’t cover it up with self-flattery. Confess it to God and receive help.
Proverbs 28:13 KJV
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
The Spirit in Believers encourages us to prefer others above ourselves.
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
When you are the one praising yourself and calling attention to your supposed greatness, virtues or good deeds, you are only showing how great your insecurities are.
Here’s what God wants of you:
Proverbs 27:2 ISV
Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth; a stranger, and never your own lips.
Believers are not to adopt the ‘transgression of the wicked,’ which is the kind of self-flattery that is used to cover sins and shortcomings. In some cases, those who shout their ‘goodness’ to the world are the ones using such deeds to cover up some evil.
It is a great thing to be so much at peace with yourself that you don’t go about boasting about your wisdom, virtues or holiness. I have often pitied those who dress, speak and live to call attention to themselves and their supposed abilities and gifts. I imagine the pressure they are putting themselves under. Many of them are showing off to a world that is just too busy to see them.
As a Believer, you are complete in Christ.
Colossians 2:10 KJV
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Some renditions of that verse say, “You are made full in Him…”
When you realize and believe that the cheers of men cannot add anything to you, and the jeers of men cannot take anything from you, then you can really be at peace.
Jesus said in John 5:41, “I don’t receive honor from men.” He meant He didn’t live for men’s approval.
Let God proclaim you and your virtues before men. What He has put in you in your closet, He will show to the world on the housetops. (Matthew 6:6).
Have a wonderful day.
Your friend,
Deon.
Do you have any thoughts about this message? Please share them in the comments section below.
Deon Akintomide is a Pastor, author and publisher. He teaches the Word of God and ministers healing to the body and the mind. He is the founding minister of the LifeHouse Global Missions and the Pastor of The LifeHouse Kingdom Centre in Lagos. Deon is married to Tola Akintomide.
